Tire-pressure gauge



Aug. 3 1926.

Y 1,594,993 c. D. BEDFORD Y TIRE-PRESSURE GAUGE r Filed Oct. '25, 1925 s Sheets-Shea}. 1

Cla f'e D. Bed Ford,

l-nesses Patented Aug. 3, 1926. I 1,594,993

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

CLATE D. BEDFORD, F BEAUMONT, TEXAS.

TIRE-PRESSURE GAUGE.

Application filed October 23, 1925. Serial No. 64,487,

This invention appertains to automobile rated with one of the front steering wheels appliances and more particularly to novel of an automobile, y means for indicating the pressure of the Figure is an enlarged detail section tires of the automobile on the dashboard through the casing of'one of the pressure a 5 thereby eliminating the necessity of the indicating members, the dust cover being 60 driver of the vehicle leaving his seat to h wn removed, A test the tires. Figure 6 is an enlarged detail'section The rimary object of the present inventhrough the operating plunger for engagtion is the provision of novel pressure meming the pressure operated raceway,

1 bers associated with each wheel of the ve- Figure 7 is a detail longitudinal section hicle and having communication with the showing a modified form of means for op- A pneumatic tires thereof, and novel means crating the indicator from the plunger,

actuated by said pressure members for op- Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 4 crating indicators located at an advantaillustrating a modified form of the inven 15 geous point on the motor vehicle within the tion, showing the pressure member on the 70 drivers vision to permit the condition of outside of the wheel, I the tires to be readily seen, without the Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevation of an driver of the vehicle leaving his seat. automobile wheel with the modified form Another object of the invention is the of the device incorporated therewith,

provision of a novel casing associated in any Figure 10 is a detail sectional view illuspreferred way with each vehicle wheel for trating the means of incorporating one o the reception of an air pressure member the pressure devices with the brake drum of having communication with the pneumatic the automobile, r v tire of a wheel and a pressure plate for cm Figure 11 is a detail section through a still gaging the pressure member, the pressure further modified form of one of the presplate being normally urged toward the pressure, members showing the use of leaf sure member and having associated theresprings housed within the casing for norwith a novel guide track or raceway against mally urging the pressure plate in engagewhich is adapted to bear an indiactor operment with the pressure tube, I

30 ating plunger. Figure 12 is a front elevation of the same.

A still further object of theinvention is Referring to the drawings in detail, to provide an improved tire indicator for wherein similar reference characters desigautomobiles of the above character, which nate corresponding parts throughout the will be durable and efficient in use, one that several views, the letter A generally indiwill be simple and easy to manufacture and cates the improved tire indicating device one which can be incorporated with existfor an automobile B which can be of any ing types of automobiles at a small cost. conventional type.

With these and other objectsin view, the The improved tire indicating device A invention consists in the novel construction, comprises a pressure member .15 which is 40 arrangement and formation of parts, as will adapted to be associated with each wheel 95 be hereinafter more specifically described, of the automobile B. These pressure inclaimed, and illustrated in the accompanydicating members 15 can be associated with ing drawings, in which: the wheels in any preferred way and in Fig- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an autoure i I have shown one method of incorpomobile wheel showing one of the improved rating the same with a front wheel 16 of the 100 pressure devices incorporated therewith, autoniobile. The wheel 16-has been shown Figure 2 is a front elevation of the indiof the conventional artillary type, but it is cator which is adapted to be associated with to be understood that the same can be associan automobile at any preferred point withated with other wheels either of the disk in the drivers vision, such as the dashboard. or wire spoke t pe. The wheel 16 includes 105 Figure 3 is a transverse section through the usual hub 1; and spokes 18 and is rotatthe dashboard of an automobile with the ably mounted upon the usual swinging stub indicator incorporated therewith, axle, or spindle 19' carried by the dead axle Figure 4 is a section through one of the 20. In this form of the invention the prespressure devices showing thesame incorposure member 15 is arranged on the inside of no casing 21 includes an inner disk shaped the wheel 16 and includes a casing 21 which can be constructed from sheet metal. Thfia 22 and the annular, outer side wall 23. Arranged directly within the casing is a ressure tube 24 which can be of a relativey small character and this tube 24 has direct communication with the pneumatic tire 25 of the wheel by means of a suitable tube 26. The casing 21 is connected to the hub 17 in any preferred way and if de sired the hub bolts can be utilized for this purposes. Disposed directly within the casing 21 is a pressure plate 27 which engages the pressure tube 24. This pressure plate is adapted to benormally held in contact with the pressure tube at all times so that the same will be moved in and out of the CaSIDg according to the pressure of the air within the tube. In order to effect this a plurality of bolts 28 are carried by the pressure plate 27 and slidably extend through the wall 22 of the casing 21. Expansion springs'29 are coiled about the said bolts and this normally tends to hold the said plate in firm contact with the tube. As shown the bolts 28 and the springs 29 are arranged between the spokes 18 in order to conserve space. Associated directly with the pressure plate 27 is. an annular guide track or rackway 30 the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A cover 31 can be provided for the casing in order to protect the raceway and other parts of the pressure device from dust or road grit. This cover 31 is held stationary and can be connected by the use of suitable clamps 32 with the wheel spindle.

rran automobile B is a suitable indicator casing 36 in which is mounted independent indicators 37 for showing the pressure of each of the tires of the automobile. Any desired means can be employed for actuating the indicators 37 from the pressure plates 27 of the pressure members and as shown in Figures 4 and 6 I provide a tube 38 leading from the casing 36 andcommunicating with one of the indicators 37 The various tubes 38 are led from their indicators toward the four wheels of the automobile and as shown in Figure 4 one of the tubes 38 is connected by the use of a suitable bracket 39 with the terminal of the axle 20. A second bracket 40 is connected with the wheel spindle and supports the plunger casing 41. The casing 41 is connected to the tube 38 directly above the wheel spindle-by the use of a suitable ball and socket joint 42 as clearly shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. This will permit the free swinging of the plunger casing with the wheel spindle. A

plunger 43 is mounted within the casing th 41 and is normally urged, by means. of a spring 44 in engagement with the raceway ged on the dashboard 35 of the casing and the plate 30. To prevent wear on the plunger the inner end of the same can carry a ball bearing or the like 45 for engaging the raceway. Connected with the plunger 43 is a stifl wire 46 which can lead to the tireindicator 37 for actuating the pointer thereof.

As stated other means can be employed for actuating the pointer of the indicator and in Figure 7 I haveshown another means. This means also embodies a tube having incorporated therein a plunger chamber 50 in which is reciprocably mounted the piston or plunger 51. This piston can be connected with the plunger 43 by the use of a short flexible wire 52. The tube with which the plunger casing 50 communicates with can be filled with an air or liquid column to be acted on by the said plunger or piston.

In operation of the improved device the air pressure within the tube 24 will be the same as the air pressure within the pneumatic tire owing to its direct connection therewith and any expansion and contraction of the tube 24 will vary the position of the pressure plate 27 within the casing. Movement of the pressure plate will be transmitted to the plunger 43, which consequently will operate the indicator and thus give the driver of the vehicle direct knowledge of the tire pressure.

In Figure 8 of the drawings I have shown a modified form of means of connecting the pressure member in position and in this form the casing 21 is secured to the outer face of the wheel. This means of connecting the casing in place is utilized when there is not suflicient space between the wheel and the axle end to accommodate said casing. When the casing 21 is secured to the outer face of the wheel the bolts 28 extend between the spokes to the opposite side of the wheel and support the raceway or guide 60. This raceway or guide 60 is similar to the raceway 30, the only difference being that the same is formed separate from the pressure plate 27. Relatively heavy expansion springs 51 are coiled about the bolts 28 and have their opposite ends engaging the which supports the raceway and it is thus obvious that the pressure plate will be normally held in contact with the pressure tube'24. The same means is utilized for transferring the varying positions of the pressure plate 27 to the indicators. 'In this form "of the invention I also provide a novel dust uard 62 for the raceway 60 and this guard is in the nature of a plate which can be connected by the use of suitable clamps 63 with the axle spindle. Guide ears 64 can be carried by the periphery of the guard e proper holding position.

It is obvious that various changes in conof the dust plate in 62, in order to insure struction can be made and if preferred the expansion coil springs can be entirely eliminated and leaf springs substituted therefor. This construction has been shown in Figures 11 and 12 and it is to be noted that a plurality of leaf springs 70 are arranged directly within the casing 21 between the disk shaped wall 22 thereof and the pressure plate 27. The springs 70 are disposed in angular formation with one overlying the other and these springs have their opposite terminals riveted or otherwise secured to the wall 22 and an annular attaching plate 71 which can be removably connected, y means of bolts 72, to the pressure plate 27.

In Figure 10 of the drawings I have illustrated one method of incorporating the novel pressure members with a rear wheel. Inthis instance the pressure member can be arranged directly within the brake drum 75 which is carried'by the rear wheel 76.

' The pressure member 15 can be connected in any preferred way within the. brake drum and is of the same construction as the pressure members heretobefore described and be described in detail. It is to be noted however that the indicator operating plunger 43 can have its casing 41 carried directly and in view of the fact that the brake drum does not swing the necessity of providing the ball and socket joint 42 is eliminated.

By placing the pressure member directly i The vehicle tires can cator carried by raceway carried by the wheel, a pressure within the brake drum a neat and attractive job will be had and no operating part will be exposed to the eye. In automobiles utilizing brakes on all four wheels the pressure members can be incorporated within the brake drums of the front'wheels as well as the brake drums on the rear wheels.

From the foregoing description it can be seen that I have provided an exceptionally simple and durable \(device, which can be readily incorporated with a conventional automobile without change thereto for indicating the pressure of the vehicle tires on the dashboard.

be pumped up in the ordinary way or if preferred the pressure tubes 24 can be provided with conventiona tire filling valves 33 whichwill permit the tires to be readily pumped up from the pressure tubes 24.

Changesin details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention, ut:

What I claim as new is:

1. In an automobile, the combination with an automobile wheel having atire and an-instrument board, 0 an indithe instrument board, a

operated member for transmitting motion to the raceway, means for establishing communication between the tireand the presby the brake drum P 1 taining neumatic by the er, a plunger carried ging the raceway and means for actuating the indicator from the plung 2. n an automobile, an automobile chassis,

the combination with a dashboard and a wheel having a pneumatic tire, of an indicator associated with the dashboard, a pressure operated means for establishing co member carried by the wheel,

mmunication between the tire and pressure operated member, an annular ra wheel for chassis en operatlng 3. In an automobile,

rotation therewith a plunger asso gaging th ceway mounted upon the connected with operated member for moveciated with the e raceway and means for the indicator from the plunger the combination with an automobile chassis and a wheel havin a pneumatic tire, within the vision of the driver pressure containing member carried for establishing communie tire and said pressure an annular raceway asthe wheel, means cation between th containing member,

sociated with the wheel for with, means for the pressure containing lunger carrie mally holding the with the raceway means for operating plunger.

4. In a d by the chas plunger vehicle,

operating the raceway member, a movable of an indicator arrange of the vehicle, y

rotation theresis, means nor- 1n engagement for actuation thereby, and

the indicator from the the combination with a vehicle wheel having a pneumatic tire, of a casing associated with the tion therewith, a pres ber arranged within establishing communic and the operating member,

pressure containin wheel for rotasure containing memthe casing, means for ation between the tire g member, an

resilient means normally holding the operating member in engagement member ing with the I for actuation ressure containthereby, and

an indicator operatively connected with said operating 5.In a

a casing member.

adapted to be ass tire pressure indicating means,

ociated with a expansible pressure condapted to have oommunication with a pneumatictire, means engaglng the expanslble member,

normally expansible memb all times and an annu with said pressure en movement therewith.

6. Ina

urging the means engaging er in contact therewith at lar raceway connected gaging member for resilient means the tire pressure mdicating means, a

to be associated with an automobile wheel for movement therewith, a

pressure tube arranged within the casing adapted to have communication with an automobile tire, a plate arranged within the casing,

means normally ur 'contactwith the tube at a g the plate in times, and an annular raceway carried by said plate for movement therewith.

In a tire pressure indicator, the combination with a vehicle wheel having'a pneumatic ,tire, of a casing fitted on the Wheel around the hub of the Wheel, an annular pressure containing tube arranged within the casing about the hub, a pressure operated plate disposed within the casing and surrounding the hub, spring means normally 10 urging the plate in contact with the tube, an annular'raceway arranged concentricall on the wheel and operatively connected wit the plate for movement therewith and an indicator operating plunger for engaging 15 the raceway.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

CLATE D. BEDFORD. 

